Gaming Laptop · X-Plane 12
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2025) Gaming Laptop, 18" 2.5K 240Hz, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, 32GB DDR5, 2TB SSD
- Overkill
- RTX 5090 Laptop
- Core Ultra 9 275HX
- 32 GB RAM
This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
X-Plane 12 Performance Score
- GPU Performance60% 100
- GPU VRAM20% 100
- CPU Performance10% 75
- System RAM10% 75
Strong GPU score drives performance in this 60% GPU-weighted game, yielding a total score of 95.0. How we score
Verdict for X-Plane 12
The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (RTX 5090) suits flyers who want the most graphics a laptop offers in X-Plane 12: 4K screens, three-screen cockpits and any VR headset, with 24 GB of graphics memory. At 6.28 lb it is a desk laptop.
Updated October 2026
Pros & Cons for X-Plane 12
Strengths
- 24 GB of graphics memory holds X-Plane 12's physically-based clouds and scenery textures with room to spare, so a stormy approach into a big hub stays detailed on a 4K monitor or in a high-resolution headset.
- X-Plane 12 leans on the graphics chip more than MSFS does, and the RTX 5090 is the largest laptop chip here, with the listing stating 175 W of graphics power, the highest the laptops here list.
- 2 TB of storage, the only drive that big on this page, holds the sim, add-on aircraft and several scenery regions before you have to manage space.
Trade-offs
- At 6.28 lb before the power brick, this is a laptop for a desk, not a bag; the 18-inch body needs the room.
- 32 GB of RAM covers the sim and add-ons, but the listing doesn't say whether the memory can be upgraded, so check before you buy if you plan on heavy scenery libraries.
Full Specifications
- Graphics chip
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU
- Graphics rating
- 100 of 100 (laptop scale)
- Graphics memory
- 24 GB
- Graphics power
- 175 W max
- Processor
- Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
- Memory
- 32 GB
- Storage
- 2 TB SSD
- Screen
- 18" 2560 x 1600
- Refresh rate
- 240 Hz
- Weight
- 6.28 lb
- Released
- 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this good for X-Plane 12?
Yes — it scores 95.0/100 for X-Plane 12 and suits 4K, three screens and any VR headset. The laptop RTX 5090 handles the sim's physically-based lighting and heavy weather system with room to spare, and 24 GB of graphics memory keeps clouds and scenery textures loaded. Limits are size and weight, not performance.
Can I use a VR headset with this PC?
Yes, with any headset: X-Plane 12's VR is native and leans on the graphics chip, and 24 GB of graphics memory with 32 GB of RAM meets our bar for high-resolution headsets. A headset connects by cable or Wi-Fi; if it struggles, lower render scaling and cloud quality first.
Is it worth the price for X-Plane 12?
For the money it gets the part X-Plane 12 leans on most — the largest laptop graphics chip, with 24 GB of graphics memory — plus an 18-inch screen and 2 TB of storage. Spend less and you give up graphics memory; the cost of this one is weight, at 6.28 lb.
Is X-Plane 12 more CPU or GPU demanding?
X-Plane 12 leans on both, but it is more graphics-led than MSFS, so the laptop RTX 5090 decides how smooth clouds, lighting and VR feel, while the HX-class Core Ultra 9 275HX looks after flight physics and AI traffic. Our laptop score is 60% graphics chip, 20% graphics memory, 10% processor class and 10% RAM, so the graphics chip decides most of the result.
What graphics settings should I use?
Start at the native 2560 × 1600 with High settings and DLSS set to Quality, and raise settings from there; on a 4K monitor or in a headset begin with DLSS on Balanced. If it stutters, drop render scaling first; if the rough patches only happen at busy airports, cut AI traffic density and terrain detail instead.